The Snow Princess is quick to greet her latest guest. "The only profit to be made this evening is in friendships and memories," she says in greeting, her tone seemingly fully aware and adding to the melodrama of her words. "Welcome, Merchant," she adds.
|
The Merchant's eyes linger on the Snow Princess' finery longingly, her fingers twitching restlessly.
"Valuable friendships are a first step in the path to wealth for most of us, and to increased wealth and station for those of high birth. Whatever the cause for your wealth, I can see that fortune has smiled upon you. By what name should I address you, my illustrious lady?"
The hostess smiles. "I thank you for the compliment, though I must admit that fortune's role was only partial," she replies. "If I were to have acquired this place by luck alone, it would have been nothing more than a quickly-fleeting dream," she continues, her tone implying that she has first-hand knowledge of fleeting dreams. "Tonight, my identity is The Snow Princess, though some have taken it upon themselves to call me 'Yukihime,' which translates to 'Snow Princess,' but is quite adorable."
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The front door is opened by one of the doormen to allow a venerable human woman entry. She hobbles into the foyer wearing a threadbare Taldan tabard and leaning heavily on a pair of canes lashed together with scrap wood. She hacks loudly to clear her throat before pursing her lips and whistling a raspy, bugle-like fanfare. "Presenting, my darling son, a herald and flag-bearer for the Taldan Phalanx, as The Kuthona Rat!" She pauses a moment before lowering her voice to a more confidential tone, "Please excuse the boy and his behavior, I made some unwise choices in my youth, particularly while I was carrying him." She sighs as she hobbles over to the side and ushers in a young human male whose pale skin glows with an otherworldly light.
Wearing a breastplate with the number 12 emblazoned upon it, an elaborate steel headpiece, and an ornately furred and articulated mask of a white rat. The eyes behind the mask are emerald green and heavily dilated. In his hands he is holding a pie and at his side is a large fighting fan. "Is that my cue? Okay thanks, mom," he says with an almost lyrical quality to his voice as he strides forward.
The crone calls back as she shuffles away, "I'll be back to pick you up later tonight okay? Behave yourself, remember to take your medicine, and please do not ask anyone if you can go get your cat. He is not allowed in houses. I love you." Her voices fades as she departs.
The Kuthona Rat waves farewell for a moment before stopping as if to grasp something, but clutches at empty air. After another minute or so, he turns back towards the festivities and sets the pie on a side table. The sashes suspended from his shoulder-spikes and the long, flowing, teal cape that he wears billow behind him as though by a timely gust of wind. After this he retrieves the pie and enters the ballroom.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The Twins make their way to the table, holding an eerie conversation with each other en route. ”Is the Angel arguing with the Dark Lady, my love?” the woman asks. ”It appears they are, sister.” her twin replies. His sister giggles, ”She is not so dark, really. I am most jealous, love, of her shapely face,” the woman announces with a wistful look at the back of the Dark Lady’s head. ”It is only a shell, my sister, and like all flesh will wither in time,” her brother answers. ”But you will never wither or fade, will you?” the woman asks, turning to face her brother as they reach the table. He does not respond.
The Twins take their seat at the table, with the man sitting first and his sister perching on his knee, in a pose that might be mistaken for a couple standing for a painting. The man picks up the card before them, while the woman takes the card offered by the master of games. The black eyes of their masks fixate on the card handed to them by the Master of Games.
”Brother, we have been given a great opportunity with this. We must seize the advantage.”
”Sister, we have the first move. Such aggression would be wasted. Draw out our rivals, as one draws the enemy on the battlefield. Feint and gather information.”
”Brother, you speak as a craven! Are you afraid?” the masked woman turns from her card to face her partner.
”Only of you,” he responds gravely.
The two nod in unison, then turn to face the master of games and announce simultaneously, “The Gallium Paladin seeks the favor of the Count. We would see him rejected.” With that announcement, the man lays down the House Guard before the Master of Games while the woman clutches the other card to her breast.
When the Twins announce their decision, the Master of Games turns to them with barely an expression on her ghostly-white face. "The Gallium Paladin does not hold the Count," she says calmly, her Minkaian accent smooth and distinct.
She then approaches the Midnight Samurai, with a card for him.
Midnight Samurai, check your PMs.
Also, to accommodate the Merchant of the Sands, the Kuthona Rat has graciously agreed to be re-seeded. The groups now look like:
Group A:
-The Twins by Proxy
-The Midnight Samurai
-The Gallium Paladin
Group B:
-The Angel
-The Dark Lady
-The Masked Cat
Group C (going to see if another player joins before starting):
-The Kuthona Rat
-The Merchant of the Sands
|
The Midnight Samurai approaches the table. As he passes a wine server, he deftly takes the whole tray out of the servant's hands and brings it to the table, carefully setting the tray down before accepting his new card. He weighs the two in his mind for a minute before gaining a twinkle in his eye. He pulls his face wrap off to reveal a strong, clean-cut chin. "I must confess to not knowing your intentions, dear Twins... but I suspect with a little divine intervention, the Priestess might." He plays the Priestess in front of him, swapping the card in his hand for one of the glasses of wine he'd absconded with. After draining the glass and swapping it for a replacement glass, he approaches the Snow Princess sheepishly.
he says, gesturing towards his bound katana.
|
|
After greeting the hostess, the merchant ambles slowly around the
room, scoping out the other guests.
She stops in front of the Angel. Her gaze rises slowly over his bare chest, then, skipping his face entirely, jumps to the over-sized hammer.
She bows deeply, though her eyes remain fixed upon the hammer.
She takes a deep breath, puffing out her stomach, raising her shoulders, and bugging out her eyes, then issues into a torrent of words:
"Most holy defender of the celestial realms. Your hammer is a work of exquisite craftsmanship. When I gaze upon its glittering hilt, I can almost see the demonic and diabolic hordes that have fallen before it. The only object with greater power than such a holy relic is gold itself, for gold has the most magical and incomparable power to be transformed into whatever you most need or desire. With that in mind, I, in recognition of your service to the cause of Good, humbly offer you, that I have many mercantile contacts among the monotonous sands and scouring heat that make my nation of Qadira great, and that I assure you that at least one of them would be glad to turn your hammer into the far more valuable gold."
The Merchant collapses to her knees, gasping for breath.
Cat turns at the entrance of The Kuthona Rat, and the announcements of his mother. "The cat is not allowed in the house?" she says in mock indignation. "Well, I have known some unruly toms that I would not invite to a party, either."
She then concentrates her attention on the game at hand. "Perhaps, Angel," she begins, thoughtfully. "You are concerned that I have a Handmaiden for you have only a Baron in your own hand. Is that true?" She flips over a House Guard and hands it to the Master of Games.
"I must confess to not knowing your intentions, dear Twins... but I suspect with a little divine intervention, the Priestess might." He plays the Priestess in front of him, swapping the card in his hand for one of the glasses of wine he'd absconded with.
The Master of Games approaches the Midnight Samurai and quietly reveals the contents of the Twins' hand to him.
She then walks to the Gallium Paladin, with a card for him.
Gallium Paladin, check your PMs.
She then concentrates her attention on the game at hand. "Perhaps, Angel," she begins, thoughtfully. "You are concerned that I have a Handmaiden for you have only a Baron in your own hand. Is that true?" She flips over a House Guard and hands it to the Master of Games.
"The Angel does not hold the Baron," she says, taking the card from the Cat. She then approaches the Angel with a card for him.
Angel, it's your turn.
Turn 2:
The Angel has played a House Guard.
The Dark Lady has played a Priestess.
The Masked Cat has played a House Guard.
Twins, it's your turn.
Turn 2:
The Twins by Proxy have played a House Guard.
The Midnight Samurai has played a Priestess.
The Gallium Paladin has played a Marquise.
|
|
Upon receiving the card, the male Twin pulls it forward. Immediately, the female Twin lays hers down and grins predatorily. ”Brother, we have them now! I see the Gallium Paladin’s hand hides a powerful benefactor, but I fear no such protection exists for The Midnight Samurai!” she announces, revealing The Baron.
The male twin frowns, ”Sister, your haste is to our detriment,” he announces. ”Surely we should have played against the Gallium Paladin?”
Nonsense, brother.” She replies dismissively, ”Aggression must be answered with aggression.” She tosses her head, flicking hair out from in front of her mask.
”We shall see,” is his only reply.
The Master of Games approaches the Midnight Samurai, her hand and expression requesting his card. After receiving, she reveals it to guests, its face that of a House Guard.
"The Twins' card is closer to the Princess than the Samurai's House Guard. The Midnight Samurai is removed from the round," she explains, before approaching the Gallium Paladin with a card for him.
Gallium Paladin, check your PMs.
Also, since we haven't received any new players, and so the Midnight Samurai can continue to play, I'm going to go ahead and seed the Samurai into Group C, so we can get that started right now...
Group C (starting now):
-The Kuthona Rat
-The Merchant of the Sands
-The Midnight Samurai
Kuthona Rat, Midnight Samurai, check your PMs, as the Master of Games has cards for you.
|
|
The Angel chuckles a bit after watching the Merchant of the Sands' display of negotiation.
"I'm afraid that this is a weapon of divine justice ma'am. It is worth far more in its fight against evil than it weight in gold," says The Angel. Under his breath, he adds "Given the amount I spent on it and how little it weighs..."
Turning his attention to the game at hand, The Angel looks at his two cards. "Well, that's enough about me. What about the rest of you?" he asks as he plays The Handmaiden.
The Master of Games nods in reply to The Angel's decision, then walks over to The Dark Lady, with a card for her.
Dark Lady, check your PMs.
|
|
The Kuthona Rat takes his seat at the game table after handing off the pie he brought to one of the kitchen staff to be placed with the rest of the desserts. After which, collects his first card. He then absentmindedly reads it to himself in Celestial, "Напиши мені в приватному порядку, якщо ви можете зрозуміти, що мова. Я скажу вам відповідь там."
After a moment or so, he receives his second card. He stares at the pair of them for an agonizingly long time, mouthing soundless and senseless syllables. "Well, I guess I'll have to play the one with the name I don't know how to renounce. I'll play Mr. Quiche," he says as he proudly plays the Marquise face up on the table.
|
|
The Master of Games approaches the Midnight Samurai, her hand and expression requesting his card. After receiving, she reveals it to guests, its face that of a House Guard.
"The Twins' card is closer to the Princess than the Samurai's House Guard. The Midnight Samurai is removed from the round," she explains, before approaching the Gallium Paladin with a card for him.
The Samurai's face drops at the proclamation from the Master of Games, then darkens as he glowers at the Twins. "Well played. Milords; milady," he says in a display of barely-restrained civility as he curtly bows to the Paladin and the Twins in turn. He takes his tray of wine from his former table and allows himself to be lead to his next seat.
Remembering himself, he clears his throat and ceases his soliloquy. He bows politely and smiles broadly, and it is a testament to his breeding that the smile doesn't slip even when the Rat speaks his strange tongue or his gross mispronunciation. "And so the game is afoot," the Samurai says, looking to the Merchant for her opening move.
The Samurai's face drops at the proclamation from the Master of Games, then darkens as he glowers at the Twins. "Well played. Milords; milady," he says in a display of barely-restrained civility as he curtly bows to the Paladin and the Twins in turn. He takes his tray of wine from his former table and allows himself to be lead to his next seat.
Remembering himself, he clears his throat and ceases his soliloquy. He bows politely and smiles broadly, and it is a testament to his breeding that the smile doesn't slip even when the Rat speaks his strange tongue or his gross mispronunciation. "And so the game is afoot," the Samurai says, looking to the Merchant for her opening move.
The male Twin turns to the Midnight Samurai. "We are truly sorry to offend, aren't we, sister?" she asks.
"We are, we are, of course." she replies distractedly, shifting her seat to block any view of the card in her brother's hand as he rotates his torso away from the table.
the male twin whispers, a bit too loudly, to the Midnight Samurai,
"Guard? I think the Grand Prince is dallying with the Masked Cat. If my suspicions are correct, arrest them both at once!" the Dark Lady announces, playing the House Guard on the only player who isn't immune to all cards.
"The Masked Cat does not hold the Grand Prince, the pale lady calmly replies, before approaching the Masked Cat, while the evening's host smiles at The Dark Lady's quip.
Masked Cat, check your PMs.
"Well, I guess I'll have to play the one with the name I don't know how to renounce. I'll play Mr. Quiche," he says as he proudly plays the Marquise face up on the table.
The Master of Games calmly nods, then approaches the Merchant of Sands with a card for her.
Merchant of Sands, check your PMs. Meanwhile, the Gallium Paladin is up as well.
The pale lady nods, then approaches the Twins with a card for them.
Twins by Proxy, check your PMs.
|
|
The Merchant of the Sands
"Mr. Quiche, I see. Well, that is no way to serve an egg. I must chastise you for your horrible taste in food. But perhaps you are merely inexperienced. Have you not had the delight of tasting نرگسی ?
Ah, well. Your woefully underdeveloped palate aside, I am feeling a religious whim at the moment. I will offer up a prayer to the merciless and destructive sun. Let's see..."
She holds one of her cards at arm's length in front of her, and speaks to it, in a reluctant tone:
"Kyra, even though you are a heretic, you are the only priestess of Sarenrae that I know. Can you shine the light of the sun on the Rat, and show me what he is hiding?"
"I play Kyra! I mean, the Priestess. On the Rat, yes?"
The Angel chuckles a bit after watching the Merchant of the Sands' display of negotiation.
"I'm afraid that this is a weapon of divine justice ma'am. It is worth far more in its fight against evil than it weight in gold," says The Angel. Under his breath, he adds "Given the amount I spent on it and how little it weighs…"
Turning his attention to the game at hand, The Angel looks at his two cards. "Well, that's enough about me. What about the rest of you?" he asks as he plays The Handmaiden.
"You value the gold for its quantity," the Masked Cat replies to the Merchant. "And you value it for its utility, that you may better smite the forces of evil," she turns to address the Angel. "As for me, I value it for its beauty, its sparkle in the light which pleases the eye . . . but, I distract myself, as cats are wont to do."
"Guard? I think the Grand Prince is dallying with the Masked Cat. If my suspicions are correct, arrest them both at once!" the Dark Lady announces, playing the House Guard on the only player who isn't immune to all cards.
"Would that I had such an ally as the Grand Prince. I have only this Count, and I shall send him packing, along with his lackey the Baron, in the hopes that I can secure a more influential friend." The Masked Cat discards her own card, handing the pair of the Master of Games.
The Master of Games approaches the Merchant of the Sands, and quietly reveals the contents of the Kuthona Rat's hand to her.
She then gracefully walks over to the Masked Cat, handing her a new card.
In that same quiet, mannerly fashion, she hands new cards to The Angel and the Midnight Samurai.
Merchant of Sands, Masked Cat, Angel, Midnight Samurai, check your PMs.
It's now The Twins' turn for Group A, The Angel's turn for Group B, and the Midnight Smaurai's turn for Group C. Here is an update of the cards played and discarded so far...
Group A:
The Twins by Proxy: played House Guard, Baron
The Midnight Samurai removed from round: played Priestess, discarded House Guard
The Gallium Paladin: played Marquise, Handmaiden
Group B:
The Angel: played House Guard, Handmaiden
The Dark Lady: played Priestess, House Guard
Masked Cat: played House Guard, Count, discarded Baron
Group C:
The Kuthona Rat: played Marquise
Merchant of the Sands: played Priestess
The Midnight Samurai: no plays yet
"This time, sister, we must be cautious. There are no feints left; we all must patiently await the inevitable outcome," the male twin announces upon seeing the card his sister accepted from the Master of Games.
"I fear you are correct, dear brother; what choice do we have? Could we discard such a stalwart protector, despite earlier his failures?" The female Twin stares hard at the card in her brother's hand and frowns. "Despite the distastefully high price of loyalty."
"The price is high, sister, but the reward is greater. We need only wait and exhaust his defenses. The outcome is decided." The Twins look up from their cards and lock eyes for a long moment before the male Twin sets down his card and announces grimly, "The Grand Prince. No effect." At this, his sister proffers her card to him, giggling.
The Master of Games nods, then approaches the Gallium Paladin with a card for him.
Gallium Paladin, check your PMs.
|
|
The Angel stares at the Dark Lady. "You've got two possible cards, and I have an itchy trigger finger," he says as he pulls a platinum piece. "So, let's let a sphinx decide, shall we? Heads and you're holding the 2nd Baron, Tails and you're holding the 2nd Count."
The Angel plays a House Guard from his hand. "Go House Guards! Smite the Dark Lady's Baron!"
"The Dark Lady does not hold the Baron," The Master of Games calmly replies to The Angel's play, before handing a card to the Dark Lady.
Dark Lady, check your PMs.
"Actually, I have the other Handmaiden," the Dark Lady says, playing it, "Now be a dear and deal with the Masked Cat ahd her new card, hmm?"
|
|
The Samurai has wiggled his sword a little loose of it's scabbard and is trimming small eyeholes in his mask as his companions play their cards. As the Master of Games approaches him, he gives her a 'one moment' gesture and deftly twists the fabric, making a second hole on the sharp blade. He ties the result across his eyes, making for a crude yet effectively rakish mask. "There," he says, "all the better for a game of subterfuge!" He accepts his second card and eyes it thoughtfully for a moment.
"Now, if I remember my deductive reasoning from my time in the Scrolls, the odds should be most in my favor if..." He pauses to do some more deductive reasoning. "...if I target the card that has been revealed the least. And I believe that would be the House Guard. So I should suspect... You, mistress Merchant, of having your own House Guard, and play my House Guard against that bet." He lays down the House Guard, looking pleased with his 'cleverness.'
|
|
A man of average build and height with brown hair, a thick beard, piercing blue eyes, and a clever smile enters the hall. He has a commanding, regal presence. He wears the finest robe of silks, velvets, and gold thread. Adorned across him is a plethora of jewelery made with gold, platinum, and many precious jewels. Atop his head sits a large, overbearing, and easily recognizable crown.
Before the regal man is another man; hulking and towering as if he were nearly double the size of the bearded royal. The large man is dressed in a fine military uniform. He clears his throat, "Presenting ... the master of all Taldor, and Lord of all he surveys, His Majesty Grand Prince Stavian III!"
As he walks forward of his herald, he proclaims:
"Good evening to all. I assume that there is a place at the table for me."
The Master of Games nods when the two Handmaiden plays are announced, before she moves to hand the Twins and the Masked Cat new cards.
"Midnight Samurai," she says to him. "A House Guard cannot interfere with another House Guard. Please choose a different card."
Twins, Masked Cat, check your PMs.
The hostess lets out a gentle laugh upon the entrance of the Grand Prince, expressing her delight as she approaches her latest guest.
"Your Majesty," she addresses her guest, along with a curtsey fit for a royal greeting. "We are all amazed and honored by your presence this evening," she adds, clearly enjoying the feeling of basking in illusion. A masked servant brings the Grand Prince a glass of the current wine while the Snow Princess gestures to the gathered guests. "We are in the midst of the first round of the night's games. The state of the game is quite tense, as only one player has been knocked out so far. I am genuinely wondering who will come out on top this round."
The Masked Cat considers the previous two plays, and looks carefully at her own cards. "You were so very close, Angel. If only you had flipped a coin between smiting the Dark Lady's Baron and the one in my hand, you might have had one less competitor. And now, the rules dictate that I must play it against you."
She hands the Baron to the Master of Games. "Please tell us, who holds the higher card between the two of us?"
The Master of Games looks to the Angel and back to the Masked Cat before speaking. "The card held by the Angel is closer to the Princess than the Masked Cat's Marquise. The Masked Cat is removed from the round," she gracefully announces, before taking the Masked Cat's card. She then walks over to the Angel, with a card for him.
Angel, check your PMs.
|
|
The Small Icy Drake continues its lazy path through the air above the assembled. As the Grand Prince enters, the Drake lowers its head and folds its wings back as a sign of respect. After the appropriate amount of time, the Drake opens its wings and raises its head.
It points a clawed hand to the Orchestra and motions to play the imperial march as is the norm for the Prince entering.
The Snow Princess approaches the Masked Cat, with a happy expression. "That was a tense moment," she says. "I must admit, this first round has been very interesting from my perspective, as I watch and wonder just what is behind your decisions."
(OOC: Entertaining. Are there enough cards left that I will get another turn? I'm going to be unavailable for a while, so if I get a turn, I play my current card on the Angel, regardless of what I draw, and win. If I do not get a turn, then the Angel clearly wins.)
(OOC: Entertaining. Are there enough cards left that I will get another turn? I'm going to be unavailable for a while, so if I get a turn, I play my current card on the Angel, regardless of what I draw, and win. If I do not get a turn, then the Angel clearly wins)
There is one more card left in Group B's deck. The Dark Lady is due to draw it, unless the Angel plays the Count. Or if the Angel is able to eliminate the Dark Lady on his turn. Either way, this Group's round is on its final turn. You're getting all the way through the deck!
I'll have the Dark Lady play her turn as you say, since you'll be away.
|
|
The hostess lets out a gentle laugh upon the entrance of the Grand Prince, expressing her delight as she approaches her latest guest.
"Your Majesty," she addresses her guest, along with a curtsey fit for a royal greeting. "We are all amazed and honored by your presence this evening," she adds, clearly enjoying the feeling of basking in illusion. A masked servant brings the Grand Prince a glass of the current wine while the Snow Princess gestures to the gathered guests. "We are in the midst of the first round of the night's games. The state of the game is quite tense, as only one player has been knocked out so far. I am genuinely wondering who will come out on top this round."
"My lady, you are as chilling as you are beautiful," The Prince says, denoting her fine and very frostily decorated costume. The Prince hands the Princess a scroll, containing an invitation and a note. "Please do not let my entrance spoil the round. I LOVE a good sporting game of chance and clever tactic. I should like to observe the rest of the round."
Gabi -
Thank ye very much fer the invitation to yer party. Unfortunately, I can nae attend. The temple is overflowin' with orphans durin' these cold months, and a holy man's job is never truly done. I'm sorry I won't be able to see yer grace and beauty while living in yer true element. HAH! Reminds me what a fool I'd make o' meself tryin' to hobknob with ye upper crust pretentious types.
Anywho, given that I can't make it, I've given the invitation to this young nobleman, whom I believe ye know. The Nelthevir estate isn't far from yers, and Ozuman here is the family's oldest son. Eh, I think ye'd like him more than me anyhow. Better schooled in the ways of etiquette, and less preachy ;). I'm sure he'll make a fine addition to yer guests.
Well now Joseph is cryin' about bein' hungry. I should get back to it. Happy Winter's Veil, Gabi. May the Great Father bring you all the boons ye hoped for.
My Best,
Morgrym
"Well played," the Masked Cat says to the Dark Lady, politely. "The Angel has dealt with me, just as you requested. Now, I feel, you hold the advantage over him."
The Snow Princess approaches the Masked Cat, with a happy expression. "That was a tense moment," she says. "I must admit, this first round has been very interesting from my perspective, as I watch and wonder just what is behind your decisions."
"An intriguing game, indeed, Snow Princess. The timely play of Handmaidens by both of my opponents kept me from making the plays that I would have truly chosen. I would have liked to have played the Count against the Angel in the previous turn - if he held the card then that he holds now, that would have changed the game considerably. Likewise, I would have preferred to play the Baron against the Dark Lady. At least she spared me the indignity of guessing incorrectly." The Cat gives a wry smile, and tries to accept her defeat graciously.
(OOC: Entertaining. Are there enough cards left that I will get another turn? I'm going to be unavailable for a while, so if I get a turn, I play my current card on the Angel, regardless of what I draw, and win. If I do not get a turn, then the Angel clearly wins)There is one more card left in Group B's deck. The Dark Lady is due to draw it, unless the Angel plays the Count. Or if the Angel is able to eliminate the Dark Lady on his turn. Either way, this Group's round is on its final turn. You're getting all the way through the deck!
I'll have the Dark Lady play her turn as you say, since you'll be away.
(OOC: The Dark Lady is Handmaiden-ed until her turn, so I believe that she cannot be eliminated or Count-ed. And if he did play the Count on himself...well, that would be fine with her!)
|
|
"What? I don't recall that rule!," the Samurai blusters.
"My apologies, my tablemates. Then, Merchant of the Sands, let me change my attack from the guard to your... your Baron?" He takes a long drain from his newest glass of wine.